When Lu Yao returned to Buxian Mountain, dawn was just breaking.
Cheng Ye was switching shifts with Xiao Zhong.
They were both surprised to see her back so early—especially with a stunning beauty in tow. Meanwhile, Zeyuan and Mobao lagged behind, looking rather listless.
Lu Yao gave Jiaoniang a tour of the shop.
"Most customers order through the internet, so they won't bother you. Your workspace is behind the bar—sometimes you'll bring drinks or deliver food to tables."
Jiaoniang's current role at the shop was as the poster girl—mainly in charge of the small convenience store section.
Because the eldest Xie young master had liked refined women who could read and paint, Jiaoniang had learned a bit of reading and arithmetic during her years among humans.
So running a shop? Not a problem at all.
Standing behind the bar, Jiaoniang gazed around the main hall for a long time before finally withdrawing her gaze.
"There are a lot of demons and beasts here."
Lu Yao nodded.
"Yep. Right now, most of our customers are either demons or beastfolk."
Jiaoniang gave her a curious look.
"But you're human."
Lu Yao just said,
"So what? A paying customer is a guest. As long as they've got spirit stones, they're welcome."
Jiaoniang recalled that Lu Yao's heart belonged to a demon—after that, nothing she did seemed all that surprising anymore.
The more she thought about it, the more she felt a little envious of Zeyuan.
She'd originally assumed Lu Yao didn't know what Zeyuan was. But halfway through their journey from the Sea of Tears, Jiaoniang realized that not only did Lu Yao know—she fully accepted that Zeyuan was a demon.
Lu Yao asked,
"Take a look around—if you think it's a good fit, we'll sign a contract."
The shop wasn't what Jiaoniang had imagined at all.
She hadn't expected it to cater mostly to demons and beasts—but surprisingly, it made her feel more at ease than interacting with humans ever had.
She followed Lu Yao to the break room and carefully read the contract.
Confirming that it wasn't some kind of demon-binding spell, she decisively pressed her fingerprint to sign.
She signed two contracts: a confidentiality agreement and a probationary employment contract for seven days.
Once the paperwork was done, Lu Yao handed her a new phone.
"You don't have to know how to use it right away—just learn slowly."
Jiaoniang didn't yet know what a phone did, but since all the employees had one, she took it.
With everything settled, Lu Yao brought Jiaoniang out and introduced her to Cheng Ye.
"This is Jiaoniang, the new shop assistant. Show her around for the next few days."
Cheng Ye greeted Jiaoniang, then pulled Lu Yao aside and whispered,
"Jiaoniang's a demon?"
Lu Yao nodded.
"A shark demon. Pretty, huh?"
Cheng Ye's eyes widened as he slowly digested that info.
"Is she going to join the group chat?"
Lu Yao:
"I gave her a phone. Once she figures it out, I'll add her to the group."
Cheng Ye nodded and sat down.
Plenty of demon folk came and went at the net café, but it was still surprising that their newest employee was a shark demon who had never visited before.
Cheng Ye couldn't resist messaging the employee group chat:
[Superdimensional Net Café – Cheng Ye: The boss is back.]
[Childhood Tutoring Center – Bai Yi: That fast? I thought she said she might be gone a few days?]
[Superdimensional Net Café – Cheng Ye: She brought a new employee back.]
[Hot Springs Inn – Ji Qingyan: Male or female? Which realm are they from?]
[Superdimensional Net Café – Cheng Ye: Female. Boss says she's a shark demon.]
[Superdimensional Cinema – Die Qi: Shark demon? Is she pretty?]
[Hot Springs Inn – Bai Lu: Shark folk are basically the Eastern version of mermaids—definitely gorgeous.]
[Fluffy Pet Shop – Lei Lei: Like Lord Cui Huang from Star Emerald Planet?]
Objectively speaking, Jiaoniang was extremely beautiful—the classic image of a seductive demoness from Eastern mythology: alluring, mysterious, with a fragile, sorrowful charm.
But Cheng Ye didn't say that part aloud.
Lu Yao had originally intended to type out a quick update about her trip in the group chat—but since Cheng Ye had already spilled the news about Jiaoniang, she simply snapped a photo and sent it.
[Boss – Lu Yao: Meet our new shop assistant, Jiaoniang!]
[Childhood Tutoring Center – Bai Yi: Big sister big sister big sister—OMG she's gorgeous!]
[Snack Shop – Apricot: Definitely a stunning beauty.]
[Snack Shop – Little Eggplant: She'd make a perfect NPC for the Paradise Park.]
…
After everyone had admired Jiaoniang's photo, Lu Yao took out a stack of items she'd bought in Nizhao City and recorded a quick video.
[Boss – Lu Yao: I bought some storage pouches, pills, talismans, and jade charms. But I couldn't find any slimming pills. I did mention it to a few alchemists—maybe next time.]
[Boss – Lu Yao: These things can only be used within the marketplace. They won't work outside.]
[Hot Springs Inn – Ji Qingyan: I want a storage pouch! Doesn't matter if it only works here.]
[Hot Springs Inn – Bai Lu: +1 on the pouch!]
[Childhood Tutoring Center – Bai Yi: @Bai Lu Didn't you say you wanted pills last time?]
[Hot Springs Inn – Bai Lu: Ordinary pills don't work on me. Storage pouches are way cooler.]
[Boss – Lu Yao: By the way, I bought some low-grade Marrow-Cleansing Pills. Even in the shop, they can help with physical purification.]
Even in Nizhao City—home to a great sect of alchemists—medium- or high-grade pills were far too pricey.
After much hesitation, Lu Yao had settled on a bottle of low-grade pills.
[Hot Springs Inn – Bai Lu: !!!]
[Superdimensional Cinema – Ming Shi: Marrow-Cleansing Pills? Do they really work?]
[Childhood Tutoring Center – Bai Yi: Will they improve my skin?]
[Superdimensional Net Café – Cheng Ye: Skin will improve, sleep gets better, body feels lighter. Obvious effects.]
[Superdimensional Net Café – Zhong Lianjia: Wait—how do you know all that?! Don't tell me you already took one?!]
Zhong Lianjia had just gotten home from his shift swap with Cheng Ye.
He always checked the chat before resting—only to discover that his coworker had secretly taken a pill already?!
[Boss – Lu Yao: According to the alchemists, low-grade pills can help detox and improve health for ordinary folks. Effects vary per person but typically last three to six months. Try them if you want.]
Pills were one of those things—you knew whether they worked the moment you took them.
Lu Yao planned to promote them discreetly to VIP customers on the internal site, maybe make some extra income on the side.
---
Zeyuan and Mobao had only just returned to the net café when Xuanfeng arrived with a message.
A summons had come from the Demon Realm—they needed the lord to return immediately.
Coincidentally, both their employment contracts had also reached their time limit.
They would be leaving together.
Of course, they promised to visit the net café again when time allowed.
After all, games were way more fun than just sparring or showing off combat skills.
Now that the Demon Realm had a magic rift opened by the lord himself, returning to the net café could be done openly and proudly.
Zeyuan found Lu Yao.
"I need to return to the Demon Realm for a bit."
Lu Yao nodded.
"Alright. Stay safe."